Jourdan Rodrigue from the Charlotte Observer provides a closer look at Seattle's Week 13 opponent:
1. What has been the biggest reason the Panthers have taken a step back after reaching the Super Bowl last year?
Rodrigue: I think "wrong place, wrong time" injuries have really hurt the Panthers this year. When they were going against pass-heavy teams, their two rookie corners were hurt and of course there was no viable option behind them. When they were going against big, physical defensive fronts most of their offensive line hasn't been healthy. They also haven't been able to win the type of close games they pulled out last year, and whether that is bad luck or a lack of sustained production from quarter to quarter is up for a little debate. They have had seven games decided by three points or less, and have lost five of those games.
2. How big of a concern are the injuries to their offensive line against Seattle's defensive front?
Rodrigue: Ron Rivera himself described the health of the line as a "position catastrophe." Not only is Michael Oher still in the concussion protocol, they have a right guard playing right tackle after the guy they moved to fill the spot got hurt after they moved the original starter to the left tackle spot to replace Oher. They are also on their third-string center. Are you keeping up? In fact, they only have one guy in the spot he started the season.
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3. Overall, how has this season worked out for the Panthers secondary, a unit with two rookie CBs on the outside?
Rodrigue: The two rookie corners, Daryl Worley and James Bradberry, are finally healthy after both suffering a couple of nagging injuries earlier this year. I think there are some growing pains to work through, but they are athletic and, more importantly, they soak up each lesson each game provides them and have clearly improved from week-to-week. Carolina has also gotten a little bit of a spark in their nickel package from Leonard Johnson, who is back to better health as well.
4. If the Panthers are minus linebacker Luke Kuechly, what kind of production are they expecting from A.J. Klein?
Rodrigue:It is unlikely Luke Kuechly is back for this game, so backup A.J. Klein has stepped up. He got burned a few times last week against the Raiders, but on one big play in particular he should not have been isolated in coverage against the wideout. I think we will see a better game from him against Seattle, and I think we see more snap counts for buffalo nickel Shaq Thompson as well, who is better in coverage than Klein.
5. And lastly, if Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is matched up against Kelvin Benjamin, can we expect Cam Newton to still take his chances and throw his way?
Rodrigue:That's something I'd like to see, based on size, strength and personality. Cam has been struggling a little with his accuracy of late but a lot of that comes from having to get the ball out quick with a large human being in his face, based on the struggles on the line. If he does go after Sherman a bit, I'm really looking forward to watching that chess match.
Take a look at the Carolina Panthers players you can expect to see when the Seattle Seahawks take the field in Week 13 on Sunday Night Football at CenturyLink Field.
Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) is seen prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) makes his way onto the field during introductions before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. The Panthers won 23-20.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers' James Bradberry (24) takes the field during introductions before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The Vikings won 22-10. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) looks on from the sidelines during a week 2 preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Panthers won 26-16. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (58) rests during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Oakland, Ca. The Raiders won the game, 35-32. (Greg Trott via AP)
Carolina Panthers' A.J. Klein (56) during introductions before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. The Panthers won 27-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers rookie linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) warms up prior to the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 24-10. (Jim Mahoney via AP).
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) pursues the runner during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Wes Horton (96) walks off the field after the Carolina Panthers defeat the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Charlotte, NC, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) during pre-game introductions before the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 30-20. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) during pre-game introductions before the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers' Fozzy Whittaker (43) gets his teammates fired up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016. The Panthers won 23-20.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) smiles as he runs off the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Nov.17, 2016 in Charlotte,N.C. The Carolina Panthers won 23-20. (Logan Bowles via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (19 watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, September 8, 2016. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen stands on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Los Angeles. The Panthers won 13-10. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Carolina Panthers guard Chris Scott (79) looks on from the sideline during the 2016 NFL week 5 regular season football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Buccaneers won the game 17-14. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Daryl Williams (60) looks on during the 2016 NFL week 1 regular season football game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in Denver. The Broncos won the game 21-20. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers offensive guard Tyler Larsen (69) does a low five during the 2016 NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Patriots won the game 19-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Trai Turner (70) on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers guard Andrew Norwell (68) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers tackle Mike Remmers (74) looks on during the football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, December 13, 2015 in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Kent Smith)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) during warm ups prior to an NFL football game at Bank of America, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) celebrates after a catch against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game Sept. 18, 2016 in Charlotte, N. C. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen (44) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 6, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Rams 13-10. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy (5) kicks during the game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday Nov. 17, 2016, Charlotte, NC. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sep. 17th, 2016 in Charlotte,NC. (Logan Bowles via AP Images)
